Pope Francis was born Jorge Bergoglio in Buenos
Aires, Argentina on 17th December 1936. He is the son of Italian
immigrants, one of five children.

He graduated as a chemical technician before joining the seminary, he
was ordained a priest in 1969 and made his final profession with the
Jesuits in 1973. Among other things, he has taught literature, theology and philosophy; he
has served as Provincial of the Jesuits and as parish priest of San
Miguel.

He was appointed auxillary Bishop of Buenos Aires by Pope John Paul II
in 1992, Coadjutor Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1997 and Archbishop,
Primate of Argentina in 1998.

In 2001 John Paul II created him Cardinal. Typically he asked the
faithful not to come to Rome to see him made Cardinal but to donate the
money for the journey to the poor.

He was elected Supreme Pontiff on 13 March 2013, the first Pope of the Americas and the first to be called Francis.

He is known for his humility and simplicity of life as a priest, his
emphasis on the love and mercy of God, the social teaching of the Church
to care for the poor, care for the planet and its peoples, and
commitment to interfaith dialogue.

As Pope he has chosen to live in the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse
rather than in the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace.

His main writings as Pope are:

Lumen Fidei (2013), the Light of Faith, written with Pope Benedict XVI on faith.

Evangelii Gaudium (2013), the Joy of the Gospel on faith and evangelisation.